A new study reveals that regular consumption of fizzy drinks significantly increases the risk of developing bowel cancer before age 50, highlighting the need for public health initiatives.
A recent study indicates that regular consumption of fizzy drinks significantly heightens the risk of developing bowel cancer before the age of 50. Conducted by Dr. Yin Cao and her team, the research followed 95,464 female nurses in the U.S., aged between 25 and 42, over nearly 24 years starting in 1991. Participants reported their dietary habits every four years, and 41,272 also provided information on their adolescent consumption.
The study found that consuming just two glasses of fizzy drinks daily more than doubles the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer, which is the second deadliest form of cancer in Britain. One small can or eight fluid ounces daily can increase the risk by 16%, with adolescent consumption increasing the risk by 33%.
During the study, 109 participants were diagnosed with bowel cancer before turning 50. Researchers accounted for factors such as health conditions, lifestyle, BMI, use of NSAIDs, vitamin supplements, and family history. The study, published in Gut magazine, is among the first to establish a direct link between sugary beverages and an increased risk of bowel cancer in adulthood.
Dr. Cao highlighted that the rising popularity of fizzy drinks among teens and young adults could be contributing to this trend. Additionally, substituting sugary drinks with artificially sweetened beverages, coffee, or milk can reduce the risk by 17-36%. The findings underscore the potential need for public health initiatives targeting reduced consumption among young people.
The biological explanations for these findings include the suppression of satiety leading to weight gain, rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin, and the weakening of the gut barrier, all of which have been linked to tumor growth. The study also noted that sugar-sweetened drinks are the primary source of added sugars in the American diet, constituting 39% of total intake.
While the research involved predominantly white females, raising concerns about its applicability to other demographics, it emphasizes the growing public health issue related to fizzy drink consumption and its link to bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, causing over 16,000 deaths annually.
